What documents to bring/ how get dated photos?

[Pennycat 880]

I'm headed down to Costa Rica to visit by boyfriend (and soon-to-be "officially" fiance!) pretty soon and of course, I only JUST realized that it would probably be a good idea to print out/photocopy whatever documents he may need to bring with him to the visa interview. I can print easily and for free here...him there....not so much. So I may as well get chat logs/photographs/whatever we need in his hands now.

Yes, I realize that that step is probably quite some time away (and depending on when it is, I may be able to attend) but I really don't know if I'll be able to get back down there at all before this whole process is over.

I'm really pretty overwhelmed with all the information here (well, and overwhelmed with the whole "not having a place to stay there yet" logistic failure nightmare that I'm in the middle of) and can't seem to tell what document needs to be where like...does he need a photocopy of my birth cert for the embassy or is that just for the application? Also, how do you get dated photographs in this day and age? All of the copies of photos of us together are on Facebook, which has dates on IT---but no dates on the photos when you print them out. Part of me wants to cheekily take a photograph of us with the day's newspaper but I don't know if the US Government shares my sense of humor..... We can very easily prove face-to-face contact within two years (we have a police report that shows that we were together from when we were robbed while on vacation in Nicaragua in October), but we have to prove an ongoing relationship, right? So chat logs/flights/photos/remittances? Anything you had to mail that you wished you'd planned ahead?

Thanks and sorry for the rambling!

[mstee81 28]

I sent in a few emails from each month along with some chat logs. I wrote the location and date on the back of each picture. I sent in travel documents as well. Remember to keep your boarding passes.

[Ilovemyman 147]

Well, i dated my photos saying:

at the beach october 24, in my aunts'house september 28, that was all , and it was ok.

[Pennycat 880]

Thanks, both. Ok, I can print out and date a few photos myself. Would flight reservations be ok? There's *6* of them. I don't have my boarding passes, I don't think.

[baron555 934]

I'm really pretty overwhelmed with all the information here

Read the Guides and Follow the Example Forms.

..does he need a photocopy of my birth cert for the embassy or is that just for the application?

No and Yes

Also, how do you get dated photographs in this day and age?

Use a pen and write on the back.

All of the copies of photos of us together are on Facebook, which has dates on IT---but no dates on the photos when you print them out. Part of me wants to cheekily take a photograph of us with the day's newspaper but I don't know if the US Government shares my sense of humor...

Works for most.

We can very easily prove face-to-face contact within two years (we have a police report that shows that we were together from when we were robbed while on vacation in Nicaragua in October),

Only need proof of one meeting within the last two years of your filing date. No extra credit for additional meetings.

but we have to prove an ongoing relationship, right? So chat logs

Depends on what you talk about. It's all about content and not quantity.

/flights/photos/remittances?

Those just show you travelled together....on their own, they do nothing to prove a valid relationship.

[Pennycat 880]

I'm really pretty overwhelmed with all the information here

Read the Guides and Follow the Example Forms.

..does he need a photocopy of my birth cert for the embassy or is that just for the application?

No and Yes

Also, how do you get dated photographs in this day and age?

Use a pen and write on the back.

All of the copies of photos of us together are on Facebook, which has dates on IT---but no dates on the photos when you print them out. Part of me wants to cheekily take a photograph of us with the day's newspaper but I don't know if the US Government shares my sense of humor...

Works for most.

We can very easily prove face-to-face contact within two years (we have a police report that shows that we were together from when we were robbed while on vacation in Nicaragua in October),

Only need proof of one meeting within the last two years of your filing date. No extra credit for additional meetings.

but we have to prove an ongoing relationship, right? So chat logs

Depends on what you talk about. It's all about content and not quantity.

/flights/photos/remittances?

Those just show you travelled together....on their own, they do nothing to prove a valid relationship.

Yep, the guides are what's overwhelming at the moment when I'm just trying to figure out what I should print to bring to leave with him.

And about the chat logs----personal stuff then? Pull out...what? All the romantic squishy stuff? Great.

[baron555 934]

Yep, the guides are what's overwhelming at the moment when I'm just trying to figure out what I should print to bring to leave with him.

Read through the Sticky Notes....many folks have compiled a listing of all the things one needs at each stage. It's really not that hard.

And about the chat logs----personal stuff then? Pull out...what? All the romantic squishy stuff? Great.

The chat logs should be part of your bulk of evidence that when examined by a complete stranger should indicate that you two have a real relationship and intend to marry and live a long time in the US.

I suggest to purposefully generate all kinds of evidences.

Your evidence should support what I like to call the Evolution of Our Relationship. Most all relationships follow a usual pattern....in beginning it's get to know you what you like, dislike....then leading to more intimate conversations (the romantic stuff should be included or else your relationship might be viewed as not normal...agree?).....then to agreement to marry then to planning the new life here.

[Pennycat 880]

Thanks, good idea on the chat logs....I can sift through and find each stage very easily (especially the important turn). But...panic time...in English? We text in Spanish and Skype and/or interact face-to-face in English. I *really* don't want to have to translate the chat logs for these people but.....is that in my future?

[baron555 934]

Thanks, good idea on the chat logs....I can sift through and find each stage very easily (especially the important turn).

We were given a 221 g form at her interview asking for more evidence. The next day as I shifted through the reams of stuff it dawned on my that we had indeed followed a normal path of evolution and drafted the same document (about two and a half pages) which I thought would help guide the CO through the evidence. I resent some of the same over again. Within two days of submittal we were approved.

But...panic time...in English?

Yes, unless your Embassy specifically states that native language documents are OK as-is.

We text in Spanish and Skype and/or interact face-to-face in English. I *really* don't want to have to translate the chat logs for these people but.....is that in my future?

Check the Embassy web page or email them.

[raven52 233]

The K-1 guide on this site is perfect. I know a lot to comprehend, but just take one thing a day, and try to get that one. Then one the next.

As for pictures, take a No.2 pencil, date, place, and who is in the photos, on each one, put in a plastic see through individual slot binder, and if the beneficiary, can "ad-lib" about each photo, it will help in my opinion. It certainly did my wife.

Just try not let the K-1 guide "overwhelm" you, just take a step or two a day.,.,.,"the guide is perfect" to get all the info. to pass an interview.